By Stanley Onyekwere
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has warned the Coordinator of Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Mr. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, against negotiating with contractors handling projects in the Territory.
This, Wike noted was necessary, in the wake of the reinvigorated effort towards ensuring that residents of satellite towns feel the impact of President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
The Minister made the assertion yesterday during the inauguration of the coordinator at a brief swearing-in ceremony, conducted by the Chief Judge of the FCT, represented by Hon. Justice C. O Agashieze, in Abuja.
He charged Zulkiflu to effectively coordinate activities in the satellite towns, as against sitting in the office and negotiating with contractors.
According to him: “It is your business to coordinate, liaise and brief me as the minister of the FCT.
“You are not sent there to sit in your office and begin to negotiate with contractors. If I find out, I will not hesitate to take necessary action.”
He reiterated that the FCT Administration was working to ensure all satellite towns feel the impact of the government.
To this end, Wike the coordinator to utilise the opportunity to achieve results and make the needed impact, pointing out the numerous ongoing projects in the satellite towns.
He explains: “Mine is, do your work. If you do your work, everybody will see that you are doing your work.
“I don’t like praise singers. Your action will speak for you.
“Now that FCTA is seriously involved in the development of satellite towns, make sure that things are done very well.”
Furthermore, the Minister enjoined the STDD boss to ensure effective sanitation in satellite towns, saying that he would not condone any form of corrupt practices associated with the cleaning of the areas.
He decried that FCTA pays the bills of satellite towns cleaners every month, without verifying whether they have carried out the job or not, lamenting that people want to make money without doing the job.
“What we have done now is to make sure that all the area councils’ chairman are involved in vetting before payment is carried out.
“Now you are the coordinator, make sure that things are done very well before you send me any paper.
“Mr. president found you worthy to contribute to national development, particularly as regards the FCTA.
“This is for you to contribute to driving the renewed hope agenda in satellite towns,” he stressed.
